You’ve always dreamed of making a living working with little kids. You’re great with them. And they really like you. Well, it’s time to go pro.

Our Early Care & Education programs focus on developing skilled and knowledgeable professionals for the childcare and preschool industry. Our certificates and occupational degrees help you prepare for assistant teacher, lead teacher, and early care management positions.

Career Profile

Quick Stats

Example Titles

Child Care Worker

Preschool Teacher

Daycare Owner

Preschool Manager

Preschool Director

Types of Employers

Child Care Centers

Nurseries

Preschools

The demand for quality early care and education professionals will continue to increase over the next five years and beyond. This occupation has a high turnover rate. While opportunities for advancement are limited and as childcare workers gain experience, some may advance to supervisory or administrative positions in large childcare centers or preschools. With a bachelor’s degree, workers may become preschool teachers or get certified to teach in public or private schools. Some workers set up their own childcare businesses.

Transfer to a University

Although the vocational degrees listed above are designed for immediate use in the field without a bachelor’s degree, many of the courses can apply toward university transfer into Early Childhood Education degree programs leading to birth - 3rd grade teacher certification. Additional coursework beyond an AAS required for university transfer includes the areas of math, science and the humanities. Other prerequisites may need to be covered, depending on the university. Meet with the MCC Education Studies Department adviser to select the best path for your early childhood education career goals.

Meet with an Advisor

Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to meet with an academic advisor. Together, you’ll lay out a program and career path that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success.

Advising for the Early Care Education program is available through the Education Studies department. You can also contact Academic Advisement for general advising. Both will help you determine the exact courses you need to get the education you’re looking for.

Mesa Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona.